Omaha daily bee., 1887-10-30
PROFESSIONS FOR WOMEN.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox on Women
Struggling for Gold and Glory.
woULD-BE POETS AND WRITER'S.
To Women Who Ask for Advice -
Young Girls and the Stage-Some
Hints for Stage-Struck Maid
ens-Profession Suggested.
Written for The -COpni0hted. 1

Written for The Bee-Coppightedl
One of the most difficult things in life
wisely and satisfactorily to advise
another person. The most difficult Of
all is wisely and satisfactorily to advise
q woman.
At the present time there are more
women struggling for an individual
place in the world of achievement than
ever before. Any woman who has in
the least degree attained success in her
chosen vocation, is appealed to as an
oracle by hordes of ambitious beginners,
and begged to show them the way.
Scarcely a mail arrives that does not
bring me one or more letters from girls
or women who are desirOus of earning
gold or glory. So numerous have these
appeals become that an open letter of
advise seems to be the only response
possible, as Il separate reply to each re-
quest would oblige me to dispense with
all other occupations.
The majority of the women who write
me say that it is necessary for them to
that literature is a profitable business,
will be so kind as to tell them how to
get into the favor of editors. Almost
always they inclose several of their pro-
ductions for my criticism. Often they
request me to send their articles to
magazines and newspapers with per-
sonal letter of recommendation. The
Enclosures are usually of medium merit,
often absolutely worthless from mar
ketable standpoint.
In my whole literary experience 1
never received but one MS. from a
young lady which evinced sufficient
genius to justify me in urging her to at
tempt literature as profession and
means of support. She possessed a
heavenborn gift, and without my ad-
vice the force of her genius would have
compelled her to write.
believe more strongly each day live
that true genius or great ability seldom
seeks advice. 1t only seeks an outlet.
The artesian spring has to be bored and
its course directed. The natural spring
forces its own way through earth and
rock.
The woman who does not feel that she
has thoughts and expressions within her
strong enough to force their way through
every Obsticle and to compel the world
to listen can never hope for marked sue
cess in literature.
II she feels that unconquerable inn
pulse toward creation which is divine in
its power, she will not ask to be shown
the way out of the loan into the light.
Success may be long in coming, but she
will win at last without being led into it.
The author who will succeed is not
the one who loses hope after encounter
ing obstacles, and sits back languidly
waiting for older writer's to dispose of
her work. But it requires decided tai
ent, perseverance, and patience, an un-
conquerable ambition, and IN intense
love of the work to attain success in
literature.
There is no worthy or absolute success
possible in a labor we dislike. Unless
the hearts blood and the brains fire
mingle in the effort it cannot thrive.
We must, however, bring something be-
sides enthusiasm to profession of any
kind. We must bring ability or at least
adaptability. | am afraid women are
respect than men.
once knew a lady who was consumed
with a passion for the stage. She had no
voice, no physique, no dramatic or hui
morous ability, no power Yet year
after year she made her arrangements
with stubborn perseverance, and ap-
peared in various roles and companies
as an actress. Her appearances were a
succession OF failures. Nothing better
than third-rate success was ever
achieved by her. All her mortifying
fiascos she attributed to accident, all
her unfavorable notices to envy or lack
of judgment. She lived and died, after
having wasted her youth and fortune in
the belief that she was gifted with great
dramatic power. Herperseverance and
energy would have won her a brilliant
success in any labor or vocation for
which she possessed a particle Of ability.
Many young ladies ask my advice con-
cerning dramatic career for them
selves.
The play is a great factor in the
amusement-loving world. We must be
entertained, and time flies, young act
ors grow old, old ones die ,and the ranks
needs must be filed. 1t isa worthy pro-
fession, when worthy natures adorn it..
But it is hard life at its easiest and
best. In dramatic career more than
any other woman should feel the i'm
pelling force Of great talent or the ex-
treme command of necessity before she
enters upon it.
AS a rule it calls for the sacrifice OF
all domestic comfort, the outlay of every
particle OF brain and body power, and
demands unremitting drudgery for
years before the rewards are obtained.
After the rewards do come the labor OF
study and rehearsal and constant ap-
pearances taxes all the vitality OF a
strong woman and allows no time for
home life.
The pretty young girl who dreams